Bugs can be very hard to remove from your car, especially when the bug splatter has been sitting for a while. Things get even worse when the bug guts have been sun-baked on your car’s paint.
Bug guts are acidic and can etch your car paint, leaving dull spots. They contain parts of the bug’s exoskeleton too, which are sharp and can scratch delicate car surfaces if you just try to wipe them off.
That’s why you wanna remove them as fast as possible so they don’t get the chance to attack your vehicle’s paint. You wanna remove them gently however, so the sharp bug remains don’t scratch your car.
In real life, you don’t always have time to bring out the big guns like a pressure washer and a foam gun. However, it isn’t wise to let those bug stains sit until the next car wash either, because their acids will etch your car paint if you let them.
We’ll show you two ways to get that nasty bug splat off your vehicle quickly, with the least effort and without scratching your car surface.
Here’s how:
Method 1: Spritz, dwell and wipe ‘em off
If you want to remove a few fresh bug splatters on your recently washed car before they get the chance to etch your car paint, this is the quick, safe way to go:
Preparation
1. Park Your Car In The Shade
Wait till your car’s hood has cooled down.
Direct sunlight or heat from your engine will soften your car paint, making it prone to scratching. Also, if the product dries too fast, it won’t have the time to dissolve the bug splatter.
When applied in full sunlight or on a hot surface, products tend to leave spots too.
2. Everything You Need
We recommend Bugs N’ All because in our tests it outperformed compared to its competitors. It is safe to use on all car surfaces.
How To Remove Bugs From Your Car
Step 1: Spray Bugs N’ All on the bug splatter
Let it soak for a couple of minutes but don’t let it dry.
Step 2: Gently agitate the product using a bug sponge
This special microfiber sponge has a super soft perforated microfiber outer layer that traps bug guts safely within its structure so that they don’t scratch your car paint.
Step 3: Rinse with tap water
Make sure the product is rinsed off completely.
Step 4: Wipe dry with a clean edgeless microfiber towel
You wanna use a towel that doesn’t scratch or mar your paint.
That’s all that’s to it, you’re done!
You’ll be amazed how easy the bugs come off! It’s the best product we’ve tested so far for bug splat removal. It’s biodegradable too.
Method 2: The “soapy blanket” technique
If the front of your car is spotted with old, sun-baked bug splatter, you’ll get the best results with the “soapy towel” technique. This technique allows the product to work longer without drying. The bug guts will come off without any effort and without scratching your car paint.
Preparation
1. Park your car in the shade
Wait till your car’s hood has cooled down.
Direct sunlight or heat from your engine will soften your car paint, making it prone to scratching. Also, if the product dries too fast, it won’t have the time to dissolve the bug splatter.
When applied in full sunlight or on a hot surface, products tend to leave spots too.
2. Everything you need for the “soapy blanket” technique
- Bugs N’ All
- Bug Sponge
- Edgeless Microfiber Drying Towel
- Clean old blankets or a soft-edged fleece blanket
We recommend Bugs N’ All because in our tests it outperformed compared to its competitors. It is safe to use on all car surfaces.
Here’s How To Remove Bugs From Your Car With The “Soapy Blanket Trick”
Step 1: Spray Bugs N’ All on the bug splatter
Step 2: Dampen a clean old blanket or a soft-edged fleece blanket with tap water
Don’t soak it. You don’t want to dilute the product.
Before using an old blanket, you want to inspect it thoroughly for cleanliness and sharp debris or grit that might scratch your car.
Step 3: Wrap the moist blanket around the front of your car (or wherever needed)
Make sure the blanket makes contact with all the surfaces that have been sprayed. This will allow the product to soak for an extended time without drying.
When handling the blanket, you should take extra care not to contaminate it with dirt and debris (e.g. by touching the ground). This might scratch your paint.
Step 4: Let it sit for 15-30 min
The blanket will keep the surface wet giving Bugs N’ All time to soften the bug splat and grime. This product will not damage any car surfaces.
Step 5: Remove the blanket
Carefully lift the blanket without pulling it over the car surface, to avoid scratching the car paint.
Afterwards, machine-wash the blanket or sheet or hang it over a washing line and rinse it thoroughly with a garden hose to remove all product, bug remains and debris. When it’s dry, put the blanket in a clean, closed container or bag, ready to be used again next time.
Step 6: Rinse the car surface with clear tap water to remove all loose bug splatter
Step 7: Spray a bug sponge with Bugs N’ All
Gently work the surface with the sponge to remove the last bits of bug guts, without letting the surface dry. Now that they’ve been soaked in product this long, they should come off right away.
Step 8: Rinse the car surface once more with clear tap water
Make sure all product has been rinsed off.
Step 9: Dry with an edgeless microfiber towel
Any tar freckles that are left will come off easily with a detailing towel and some brake cleaner.
GREAT JOB!
Those insect splats won’t “bug” you again 😉
